Roofing tile system and method

ABSTRACT

Provided is roofing tile system that includes a roofing tile having a substantially wedge shaped tile body. The tile body including a bottom surface to be disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use, a top surface angled relative to the bottom surface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body has a first height and a second end of the tile body has a second height that is greater than the first height, and a recess extending into the bottom surface at the second end. The recess is shaped substantially complementary to the first end of the tile body.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to roofing systems and methodsand more particularly to roofing tile systems and methods.

2. Description of Related Art

Roofs are typically installed on top of a structure (e.g., a home,commercial building, pavilion, etc.) to provide a barrier toenvironmental conditions. Roofs may shield an interior of a structurefrom environmental sun, wind, rain, hail and so forth. A roof oftenincludes a plurality of shingles or tiles overlapped in a series of rowsto provide a protective barrier. Roofing shingles and tiles are oftenformed of a variety of materials, including, for example, wood, asphalt,stone, clay, ceramics, and the like.

Roofing shingles and tiles are often overlapped and/or interlocked withone another to provide a roofing surface. For example, roofing tiles maybe interlocked with adjacent roofing tiles to provide a system ofinterlocked tiles to provide a tiled roof surface. Unfortunately,roofing shingles and tiles may suffer from a number of issues. Forexample, interlocking tiles may include a variety of complex featuresthat make them both difficult to manufacture and difficult to install.Moreover, once installed roofing shingles and tiles may not adequatelyprotect the structure. For example, gaps between shingles and tiles mayleave them susceptible to lift in windy conditions and may allow waterto penetrate the roof and the underlying structure.

Accordingly it is desirable to provide a roofing member that isrelatively simple to install and/or manufacture and/or provides anadequate barrier to the elements.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of roofing systems and related apparatus, andmethods of employing the same are described. In one embodiment, a methodincludes a roofing tile system that includes a roofing tile having asubstantially wedge shaped tile body. The tile body includes a bottomsurface to be disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use, a top surfaceangled relative to the bottom surface, such that a first end of thewedge shaped body has a first height and a second end of the tile bodyhas a second height that is greater than the first height, and a recessextending into the bottom surface at the second end. The recess isshaped substantially complementary to the first end of the tile body.

In another embodiment, provided is a roofing system including aplurality of roofing tiles. The roofing tiles having a substantiallywedge shaped tile body including a bottom surface to be disposedadjacent a roofing deck during use, a top surface angled relative to thebottom surface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body has afirst height and a second end of the tile body has a second height thatis greater than the first height, and a recess extending into the bottomsurface at the second end. The recess is shaped substantiallycomplementary to the first end of the tile body. The first end of theroofing tiles is to be disposed within a recess of another one of theplurality of roofing tiles.

In another embodiment, provided is a roofing method that includesdisposing, on a roofing surface, a first roofing tile having asubstantially wedge shaped tile body that includes a bottom surface tobe disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use, a top surface angledrelative to the bottom surface, such that a first end of the wedgeshaped body comprises a first height and a second end of the tile bodyhas a second height that is greater than the first height, and a recessextending into the bottom surface at the second end. The recess isshaped substantially complementary to the first end of the tile body ofthe first roofing tile. The method further includes disposing, on theroofing surface, a second roofing tile having a substantially wedgeshaped tile body that includes a bottom surface to be disposed adjacenta roofing deck during use, a top surface angled relative to the bottomsurface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body has a firstheight and a second end of the tile body has a second height that isgreater than the first height, and a recess extending into the bottomsurface at the second end. The recess is shaped substantiallycomplementary to the first end of the tile body of the second roofingtile. The recess of the second tile is disposed over the first end ofthe first tile such that the first end of the first roofing tile isdisposed within the recess of the second roofing tile and at least aportion of the first end of the first roofing tile is overlapped atleast partially by at least a portion of the second end of the secondtile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art with the benefit of the following detaileddescription and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a tile roofing system in accordancewith embodiments of the present technique;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams that illustrate a cross-sectionedperspective view and a cross-sectioned side view, respectively, ofoverlapping tiles of the roofing system in accordance with embodimentsof the present technique;

FIGS. 3A-3G are diagrams that illustrate a topside perspective view, abottom-side perspective view, a topside view, a side view, a bottom-sideview, a left/upper-end view and a right/lower-end view, respectively, ofa stacking tile of the roofing system in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technique;

FIGS. 4A-4G are diagrams that illustrate a topside perspective view, abottom-side perspective view, a topside view, a side view, a bottom-sideview, a left/upper-end view and a right/lower-end view, respectively, ofa terminating tile of the roofing system in accordance with embodimentsof the present technique;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of installing the roofingsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present technique.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Thedrawings may not be to scale. It should be understood, however, that thedrawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit theinvention to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as definedby the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As discussed in more detail below, certain embodiments of the presenttechnique include a roofing tile system and method. In some embodiments,roofing tiles include a substantially wedge shape body having bottom andtop surface angles relative to one another. In some embodiments, thewedge-shaped tile includes a substantially flat bottom surface and aflat top surface angled (e.g., about 0.5 degrees (°) to about 2 degrees(°) relative to the lower surface. In some embodiments, the angled uppersurface may provide for a relatively thick lower-end and a relativelythin upper-end of each of the tiles. In certain embodiments, thesubstantially flat bottom surface may lie substantially flat against thesupporting roofing surface/deck when installed, such that the bottomsurface is substantially parallel to the supporting roofingsurface/deck. In certain embodiments, an upper-end of each of the tilesmay be overlapped by a lower-end of a tile stacked immediately above thetile on the supporting roofing surface/deck (e.g., lower end of tiles ina higher row overlapping upper ends of tiles in a lower row). In someembodiments, the bottom surface of the lower-end of each of the tilesincludes a laterally extending recess/pocket that overlaps an upper endof tile(s) located immediately below the tile (e.g., tiles disposed in alower row). In certain embodiments, the recess/pocket may be shapedsubstantially complementary to the wedge shaped upper end of the tilessuch that a close fit is provided between the lower end of the tilesoverlapping the upper ends of other tiles. In some embodiments, overlapbetween adjacent tiles is less than about 25% of their length. Incertain embodiments, recesses, standoffs, or other texture may beprovided on either of the bottom and top surfaces. In some embodiments,one or more fastener holes (e.g., for a nail or screw) is providedproximate the upper-end of the tiles. In certain embodiments, a singlefastener hole is provided proximate the upper-end of the tiles. In someembodiments, a terminating/end tile to be disposed at the lower edge ofthe roof includes a substantially wedge shape and a lip extendingdownward from the bottom surface at or near a lower-end of the tile. Incertain embodiments, the tiles may be formed from a lightweightcomposite, such as a lightweight concrete.

FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a tile roofing system 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present technique. Roofing system 100includes a plurality of roofing tiles 102 disposed on a roofing supportsurface/deck 104. Tiles 102 may be disposed in a series of overlappingrows 106 a, 106 b, and 106 c (e.g., collectively referred to herein asrows 106) to form a tile roofing surface 107. Roofing surface 107 mayinclude a lower portion/end 107 a and an upper portion/end 107 b. Insome embodiments tiles 102 include a combination of stacking tiles 108and end (e.g., terminating) tiles 110. As described herein, terminatingtiles 110 may include tiles 102 to be disposed in a lower/first row oftiles (e.g., row 106 a) located a lower edge/lip 112 of roofing supportsurface/deck 104. As described herein, stacking tiles 108 may includetiles 102 to be disposed in upper rows of tiles (e.g., rows 106 a and106 b) disposed above one or more lower rows of tiles.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams that illustrate a cross-sectionedperspective view and a cross-sectioned side view, respectively, ofoverlapping tiles 102 of roofing system 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present technique. FIGS. 3A-3G are diagrams thatillustrate a topside perspective view, a bottom/under-side perspectiveview, a topside view, a side view, a bottom/under-side view, aleft/upper-end view and a right/lower-end view, respectively, of astacking tile 108 of roofing system 100 in accordance with embodimentsof the present technique. FIGS. 4A-4G are diagrams that illustrate atopside perspective view, a bottom/under-side perspective view, atopside view, a side view, a bottom/under-side view, a left/upper-endview and a right/lower-end view, respectively, of a terminating tile 110of roofing system 100 in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnique.

Roofing support surface/deck (“roof deck”) 104 may include a structureon which tiles, shingles, or the like are disposed. In some embodiments,roof deck 104 may include a roofing material layer that is disposedbetween primary structural components (e.g., trusses and/or roof joints)and tiles 102. In some embodiments, roofing deck 104 may include asubstantially flat deck surface 120 (see FIG. 2B). Roofing deck 104 mayinclude plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), metal, composite, or thelike. Roofing deck may include planar sheathing having a substantiallyflat outer/upper surface on which tiles 102 are to be disposed. Roofingdeck 104 may be oriented flat or angled/slanted to define a roof pitch(see FIGS. 1A and 2A). A slanted/angled roof deck 104 may slope from anupper portion/end 104 b to a lower portion/end 104 a. The slant/anglemay encourage water and other elements (e.g., debris) to flow/move in adownward direction from the upper portion toward the lower portion ofroofing system 100. Accordingly, when tiles 102 are installed on roofdeck 104, the resulting slant/angle/pith may encourage water and otherelements (e.g., debris) to flow/move longitudinally across uppersurfaces of tiles 102, in a downward direction from upper portion/end107 b to lower portion/end 107 a of roofing surface 107.

Roofing surface 107 may include a plurality of rows 106 of tiles 102 tocover some, all, or substantially all of a roof deck 104. For example,in the illustrated embodiment row 106 a of terminating tiles 110 islocated at a lower end 107 a of roofing surface 107, row 106 b ofstaking tiles 108 is disposed immediately above row 106 a, and a secondrow 106 c of staking tiles 108 is disposed immediately above row 106 aof stacking tiles 108. Although three rows 106 are depicted in theillustrated embodiments, roofing system 100 may include any number ofrows extending between a lower portion/end 107 a and an upperportion/end 107 b. Rows 106 may extend from a lower end portion 104 a ofroof deck 104 to an upper end portion 104 b of roof deck 104. In someembodiments, a lower end portion 110 a of terminating tiles 110 mayextend over a lower edge/lip 112 of roofing support surface/deck 104. Insome embodiments, a lower end portion 108 a of stacking tiles 108 mayoverlap upper end portions of tiles 102 located immediately there below.For example, each of stacking tiles 108 of row 106 b may include a lowerend portion 108 a that overlaps an upper end portion 110 b ofterminating tiles 110, and each of stacking tiles 108 of row 106 c mayinclude a lower end portion 108 a that overlaps an upper end portion 108b stacking tiles 108 of row 106 b.

In some embodiments, tiles 102 of roofing surface 107 in adjacent rowsmay be laterally staggered/offset such that lateral (e.g., left andright) edges of tiles 102 do not align with (e.g., are offset from) thelateral edges of tiles 102 located in rows immediately above and/orimmediately below. For example, as depicted in at least FIG. 1, tiles108 of row 106 b are laterally offset from terminating tiles 110 of row106 a and stacking tiles 108 by about 50% of their widths. In someembodiments, tiles may be staggered by different amounts (e.g., about10%, 20%, 30%, 40% of their width). In some embodiments, tiles 102 mayhave a variety of different widths such that staggering/offset may occuras a result of the varying widths of adjacent tiles 102.

In some embodiments, a flashing or cap tile may be placed over upperends of tiles 102 located at near the uppermost portion of roofingsurface 107 to seal the upper end and/or facilitate the flow of water orother debris down the roofing surface 107. For example, where upper endportion 107 b abuts a vertical wall, flashing may adhered to the walland overlap upper end portions of stacking tiles 108 of row 106 c. Whereupper end portion 107 b meet an upper end portion of an adjacent roofingsurface 107 (e.g., to form a ridge), a cap tile (e.g., a substantially“V” shaped tile) may be placed atop the ridge to overlap upper endportions 107 b of the roofing surfaces (e.g., overlap upper end portionsof tiles located at the top rows of the roofing surfaces).

As depicted in at least FIGS. 3A-3G, stacking tiles 108 may include agenerally wedge shaped body 200. Wedge shaped body 200 may include abottom surface 202 and a top surface 204. Bottom surface 202 may includea substantially flat surface. Bottom surface 202 may define an undersideof stacking tile 108 that is to be disposed on or near facing decksurface 120 of roofing deck 104 during use (see at least FIG. 2B). Forexample, stacking tile 108 may be disposed on deck surface 120 such thatbottom surface 202 is in contact or near contact with deck surface 120.In some embodiments, bottom surface 202 may include a substantially flatsurface. In some embodiments, bottom surface 202 may be substantiallyflush/parallel with deck surface 120 such that no gap or a minimal gapexists between bottom surface 202 and deck surface 120. Reducing a gapbetween bottom surface 202 and deck surface 120 may help to reducepockets for air to pass through which may result uplift of tile 108during windy conditions.

In some embodiments, bottom surface 202 may include one or moreprotrusions or recesses. Bottom surface 202 may include one or morestandoffs (e.g., bumps, texture or other protrusions) that provide for aslight gap between bottom surface 202 and deck surface 120. Bottomsurface 202 may include one or more recesses (e.g., cuts, grooves orother recesses) that provide for paths between bottom surface 202 anddeck surface 120. Where water or other debris penetrates roofing surface107, a slight gap and/or recess, may facilitate the flow of the water orother debris between deck surface 120 and bottom surface 202 such thatthe water or debris can be cleared from underneath tile 108. In someembodiments, the slight air gap may facilitate the passage of at leastsome air between deck surface 120 and bottom surface 202, e.g., tofacilitate the drying of moisture underneath tile 108 and/or dispersalof heat.

Top surface 204 may define a top-side of stacking tile 108 that isexposed to the environment when staking tile 108 is disposed on roofingdeck 104 during use (see at least FIG. 2B). For example, stacking tile108 may be disposed on deck surface 120 such that top surface 204 isdirectly exposed to sun, rain, wind and other environmental conditions.In some embodiments, top surface 204 includes a substantially flatsurface. In some embodiments, top surface 204 may include a texture(e.g., a texture that is impact resistant and/or reflective) or othersurface features. Top surface 204 may extend from an upper end 206 to alower end 208 of tile 108.

In some embodiments, top surface 204 is angled with respect to bottomsurface 202. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, top surface204 angles away from bottom surface 202 from upper end portion 108 b tolower end portion 108 a. In some embodiments, upper surface and lowersurface are separated by an angle 210 of about 0.5° to about 3°. Forexample, angle 210 may be about 2°. An angle may selected to provide fora tile of a sufficient length with out a relatively large thickness,thereby providing for an increased coverage/surface area withoutsubstantially increasing the weight of tile 108 and, thus, withoutsubstantially increasing the weight of roofing surface 107.

In some embodiments, lower end portion 108 a of stacking tile 108includes a recess 216. Recess 216 may include a cut-out in body 202that, during use, receives an upper end portion of a tile 102 locatedimmediately below stacking tile 108. For example, when installed, recess216 may receive (or otherwise be placed over) an upper end portion 108 aof another stacking tile 108 and/or an upper end portion 110 a of aterminating tile 110 (see at least FIGS. 1-2B).

In some embodiments, recess 216 includes a cut-out in bottom surface 202at lower end 208 of stacking tile 108. In some embodiments, recess 216includes a laterally extending cut-out that extends completely across awidth of staking tile 108 (e.g., from a right to a left side of stakingtile 108). (see at least FIGS. 3B and 3E). In some embodiments a length220 of recess 216 is defined by a rear wall 222. Length 220 may be lessthan about 25% of a length of body 202 such that about 25% or less ofadjacent tiles 102 is overlapped by stacking tile 102. In someembodiments a height 224 of pocket 216 is defined by top wall 226.Recess 216 may define a overlapping member 228 that includes a lower endportion 108 a of tile 108 that overlaps an upper end portion of a tile102 (e.g., upper end portions 108 b of staking tile 108 and/or upper endportion 110 b of terminating tile 110) disposed within recess 216 (seeat least FIGS. 1-2B).

In some embodiments, recess 216 is shaped substantially complementary toupper end portions 108 b of stacking tile 108 and/or upper end portions110 b of terminating tile 110. For example, end wall 222 of recess 216may have a height 230 that is the same or substantially the same as aheight 232 of upper end 206 of tile 108 and/or top wall 226 of recess216 may be substantially parallel to top surface 204 of tile 108. Forexample, an angle 234 may be the same or substantially the same as angle210. A height 236 of a lower end of recess 216 may be about the same asa thickness of body 202 at about a distance 220 from upper end 206.

In some embodiments, stacking tile 108 includes one or more fastenerholes 240 extending there through. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, body 202 includes two fastener holes 240 disposed in upperend portion 108 b of stacking tile 108. Fastener holes 240 may providefor the installation of mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws, nails or thelike) 241 to secure tile 108 to roof deck 104. In some embodiments,fastener holes 240 may be located in a portion of body 202 such thatthey are covered by an overlapping member of an adjacent tile 102 whenan upper end portion 108 b of tile 108 is disposed within acomplementary recess of the adjacent tile. For example, fastener holes240 may be located at distance 242 from upper end 206 of tile 108.Distance 242 may be less than length 220 of recess 216 such that aportion of a tile 102 located immediately above tile 108 (e.g.,overlapping member of another stacking tile located in a row above tile108) covers fastener holes 240 (see at least FIGS. 2A-2B). In someembodiments, distance 242 may be about one-half of length 220 of recess216. Covering of fastener holes 240 may shield the holes and fastenersfrom the environment to reduce the likelihood of water or other debrispenetrating roofing surface 107 via holes 240. In some embodiments, nofastener holes may be provided. In some embodiments, only a singlefastener hole 240 may be provided. For example, only one of depictedfastener holes 240 may be provided. In some embodiments, three or morefastener holes 240 may be provided.

In some embodiments, stacking tile 108 may include a substantiallyrectangular shape having a length 250 and a width 252. In someembodiments, length 250 may be about 15 inches (in), width 252 may beabout 8 in, angles 210 and 234 may be about 2°, length 220 may be about3 in, height 230 at upper end of recess 216 may be about ¼ in, height232 of upper end 206 of tile 108 may be about ¼ in, height 236 of lowerend of recess 216 may be about 7/16 in, height 254 of tile 108 at alower end 208 may be about ¾ in, and fastener holes 240 may be adistance 242 of about 1¾ in (e.g., 1.75 in) from upper end 206.

As depicted in at least FIGS. 4A-4G, terminating tiles 110 may include agenerally wedge shaped body 300. Wedge shaped body 300 may include abottom surface 302 and a top surface 304. Bottom surface 302 may includea substantially flat surface. Bottom surface 302 may define an undersideof terminating tile 110 that is to be disposed on or near facing decksurface 120 of roofing deck 104 during use (see at least FIG. 2B). Forexample, terminating tile 110 may be disposed on deck surface 120 suchthat bottom surface 302 is in contact or near contact with deck surface120. In some embodiments, bottom surface 302 may include a substantiallyflat surface. In some embodiments, bottom surface 302 may besubstantially flush/parallel with deck surface 120 such that no gap or aminimal gap exists between bottom surface 302 and deck surface 120.Reducing a gap between bottom surface 302 and deck surface 120 may helpto reduce pockets for air to pass through which may result in uplift oftile 110 during windy conditions.

In some embodiments, bottom surface 302 may include one or moreprotrusions or recesses. Bottom surface 302 may include one or morestandoffs (e.g., bumps, texture or other protrusions) that provide for aslight gap between bottom surface 302 and deck surface 120. Bottomsurface 302 may include one or more recesses (e.g., cuts, grooves,channels, or other recesses) that provide for paths between bottomsurface 302 and deck surface 120. Where water or other debris penetratesroofing surface 107, a slight gap and/or recess, may facilitate the flowof the water or other debris between deck surface 120 and bottom surface302 such that the water or debris can be cleared from underneath tile110. In some embodiments, the slight air gap may facilitate the passageof at least some air between deck surface 120 and bottom surface 302,e.g., to facilitate the drying of moisture underneath tile 108 and/ordispersal of heat.

Top surface 304 may define a top-side of terminating tile 110 that isexposed to the environment when terminating tile 110 is disposed onroofing deck 104 during use (see at least FIG. 2B). For example,terminating tile 110 may be disposed on deck surface 120 such that topsurface 304 is directly exposed to sun, rain, wind and otherenvironmental conditions. In some embodiments, top surface 304 includesa substantially flat surface. In some embodiments, top surface 304 mayinclude a texture or other surface features. Top surface 304 may extendfrom an upper end 306 to a lower end 308 of tile 110.

In some embodiments, top surface 304 is angled with respect to bottomsurface 302. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, top surface304 angles away from bottom surface 302 from upper end portion 110 b tolower end portion 110 a. In some embodiments, upper surface and lowersurface are separated by an angle 310 of about 0.5° to about 3°. Forexample, angle 310 may be about 2°. An angle may be selected to providefor a tile of a sufficient length with out a relatively large thickness,thereby providing for an increased coverage/surface area withoutsubstantially increasing the weight of tile 110 and, thus, withoutsubstantially increasing the weight of roofing surface 107.

In some embodiments, lower end portion 110 a of terminating tile 110 mayinclude a lip 316. Lip 316 may include a protrusion extending downwardfrom a lower end 308 of tile 110. Lip 316 may extend over a loweredge/lip 112 of roofing support surface/deck 104 when installed (see atleast FIGS. 1-2B). Lip 316 may shield lower edge/lip 112 of roofingsupport surface/deck 104 from the environment and/or may encourage theflow of water and other debris over and away from lower edge/lip 112 ofroofing support surface/deck 104. Lip 316 may also improve the aestheticappearance of the end of the roofing surface 107.

In some embodiments, lip 316 includes a protrusion extending downwardfrom bottom surface 302 at lower end 308 of terminating tile 110. Insome embodiments, lip 316 includes a laterally extending protrusion thatextends completely across a width of terminating tile 110 (e.g., from aright to a left side of terminating tile 110) (see at least FIGS. 4B and4E. In some embodiments a length 320 of lip 316 is defined by a rearwall 322. Length 320 may be less than about 10% of a length of body 302.In some embodiments an exterior height 324 and/or interior height 325 oflip 316 is defined by a bottom edge/surface 326.

In some embodiments, upper end portion 110 b of terminating tile 110 isshaped substantially complementary to recess 216 is shaped. For example,end wall 222 of recess 216 may have a height 230 that is the same orsubstantially the same as (e.g., slightly larger than) a height 332 ofupper end 306 of tile 110, an angle 310 may be the same or substantiallythe same as angle 234 and/or 210 such that top surface 304 of tile 110may be substantially parallel to top wall 226 of recess 216, and/orheight 236 of a lower end of recess 216 may be about the same as athickness of body 302 at about a distance 220 from upper end 306.

In some embodiments, terminating tile 108 includes one or more fastenerholes 340 extending there through. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, body 302 includes two fastener holes 340 disposed in upperend portion 110 b of terminating tile 110. Fastener holes 340 mayprovide for the installation of mechanical fasteners (e.g., screws,nails or the like) 241 to secure tile 110 to roof deck 104. In someembodiments, fastener holes 340 may be located in a portion of body 302such that they are covered by an overlapping member of an adjacent tile102 when an upper end portion 110 b of tile 110 is disposed within acomplementary recess of the adjacent tile. For example, fastener holes340 may be located at distance 342 from upper end 306 of tile 110.Distance 342 may be less than length 220 of recess 216 such that aportion of a tile 102 located immediately above tile 110 (e.g., anoverlapping member 228 of a stacking tile 108 located in a row abovetile 110) covers fastener holes 340 (see at least FIGS. 2A-2B). In someembodiments, distance 342 may be about one-half of length 220 of recess216. Covering of fastener holes 340 may shield the holes and fastenersfrom the environment to reduce the likelihood of water or other debrispenetrating roofing surface 107 via holes 340. In some embodiments, nofastener holes may be provided. In some embodiments, only a singlefastener hole 340 may be provided. For example, only one of depictedfastener holes 340 may be provided. In some embodiments, three or morefastener holes 340 may be provided. In some embodiments, fastener holes340 may be placed at similar locations on both of stacking tiles 108 andterminating tiles 110.

In some embodiments, terminating tile 110 may include a substantiallyrectangular shape having a length 350 and a width 352. In someembodiments, length 350 may be about 15 inches (in), width 352 may beabout 8 in, angle 310 may be about 2°, height 332 at upper end 306 maybe ¼ in, height 324 at lower end 308 may be about tin, height 325 may beabout ¼ in, length 320 may be about ¾ in, and fastener holes 340 may bea distance 342 of about 1¾ in (e.g., 1.75 in) from upper end 306.

While the tiles are depicted herein as having sharp, squared off cornersand edges, it should be understood that the corners and/or the edges maybe rounded. Additionally the corners may be “dog-eared.” Rounded ordog-eared edges and corners may inhibit breakage and cracking at or nearthe corners or edges.

In some embodiments, tiles 102 may be formed of a lightweight composite.For example, tiles 102 may be formed of concrete. In some embodiments,tiles 102 may be wet cast or otherwise formed of a lightweight concrete.In other embodiments, tiles may be formed from a mixture of cement,water and one or more of: pozzolan (e.g., volcanic ash, fly ash, silicafume, high-reactivity metakaolin, and ground granulated blast furnaceslag, aggregates (e.g., lightweight aggregates), fillers, and airentrainment agents. If pozzolan is used, one or more different pozzolansmay be used to form the tiles. In tiles formed using a pozzolan, thecontent of cementitious material in the tiles may be greater than about20% pozzolan, greater than about 25% pozzolan, greater than about 35%pozzolan, greater than about 50% pozzolan, and up to 100% pozzolan.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 of installing roofingsystem 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technique.Method 500 may include installing terminating tiles 110, as depicted atblock 502. For example, terminating tiles 110 may be disposed onto alower portion/edge of roof deck surface 120 such that lip 316 ofterminating tiles 110 overhangs lower edge/lip 112 of roofing supportsurface/deck 104.

In some embodiments, installing terminating tiles includes fasteningtiles 110 to roof deck 104. For example, tiles 110 may be secured toroof deck 104 using a fastener (e.g., screw and/or nail) disposed intosome or all of fastener holes 340 and secured to roof deck 104, anadhesive (e.g., glue) and/or sealant between lower surface 202 and roofdeck surface 120.

In some embodiments, a plurality of terminating tiles 110 may bedisposed adjacent one another (e.g., side-by-side) to create a row ofterminating tiles. For example, a first row 106 a of terminating tiles110 may be disposed as depicted in at least FIG. 1.

An advantage of using the tiles described herein, is that the tiles maybe self aligning. For example, recess 216 receives an upper end portionof another stacking tile, such that the upper end portion is restrictedin movement. This allows “self-alignment” of the tiles to be readilyachieved when installing the tiles. Self-alignment of the tilescontributes to the use of less material and labor during a constructionproject, thus reducing the overall environmental impact of aconstruction project.

Method 500 may include installing stacking tiles 108, as depicted atblock 504. For example, stacking tiles 108 may be disposed onto aportion of roof deck surface 120 just above a preceding/lower row 106 ofterminating tiles 110 such that an upper end portion 106 b of thepreceding row of tiles is overlapped by a lower end portion 108 a ofstacking tiles 108. For example, stacking tile 108 may be disposed suchthat upper end portion 106 b of terminating tile 106 b is disposed inrecess 216 of stacking tile 108 and is overlapped by overlapping member228 of stacking tile 108.

In some embodiments, installing stacking tiles includes fastening tiles108 to roof deck 104. For example, tiles 108 may be secured to roof deck104 using a fastener (e.g., screw and/or nail) disposed into some or allof fastener holes 240 and secured to roof deck 104, an adhesive (e.g.,glue) and/or sealant between lower surface 202 and roof deck surface120. In some embodiments, an adhesive and/or sealant may be disposedbetween overhanging member 228 and top surfaces of tiles 102 overlappedthereby.

In some embodiments, a plurality of stacking tiles 108 may be disposedadjacent one another (e.g., side-by-side) to create a row of stackingtiles 108. In some embodiments the tiles 108 may have interlockingedges. For example, a row 106 b of stacking tiles 108 may be disposedimmediately above row 106 a of terminating tiles 110, as depicted in atleast FIG. 1. Additional rows of stacking tiles 108 may be disposedabove one another to form roofing surface 107 including multiple rows ofstacking tiles (e.g., rows 106 a and 106 b), as depicted in at leastFIG. 1. For example, stacking tiles 108 may be disposed such that upperend portion 108 b of stacking tile 108 a in a row immediately below thestacking tile is disposed in recess 216 of the stacking tile and isoverlapped by overlapping member 228 of the stacking tile. An uppermostrow of stacking tiles may be overlapped by a cap-tile and/or a flashingas described above.

It will be appreciated that method 500 is an exemplary embodiment of amethod employed in accordance with techniques described herein. Method500 may be may be modified to facilitate variations of itsimplementations and uses. The order of method 500 may be changed, andvarious elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified,etc.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as examples of embodiments. Elements and materials maybe substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts andprocesses may be reversed or omitted, and certain features of theinvention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to oneskilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of theinvention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in thefollowing claims. Furthermore, note that the word “may” is usedthroughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having thepotential to, being able to), not a mandatory sense (i.e., must). Theterm “include”, and derivations thereof, mean “including, but notlimited to”. As used throughout this application, the singular forms“a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearlyindicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a member” includesa combination of two or more members. The term “coupled” means “directlyor indirectly connected”.

1. A roofing tile system, comprising: a roofing tile, comprising: asubstantially wedge shaped tile body comprising: a bottom surfaceconfigured to be disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use, whereinthe bottom surface comprises one or more protrusions or recesses,wherein the protrusions or recesses provide a gap between bottom surfaceand the roofing deck surface; a top surface angled relative to thebottom surface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body comprisesa first height and a second end of the tile body comprises a secondheight that is greater than the first height; and a recess extendinginto the bottom surface at the second end, wherein the recess is shapedsubstantially complementary to the first end of the tile body.
 2. Theroofing tile system of claim 1, wherein the top surface is substantiallyflat.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The roofing tile system of claim 1, wherein thebottom surface is configured to be disposed on a roofing deck surface.5. The roofing tile system of claim 1, wherein a first end of the recesscomprises a height that is about the same as the first height, andwherein an upper surface of the recess is substantially parallel to thetop surface.
 6. The roofing tile system of claim 1, wherein a length ofthe recess is less that about 25% of a length of the tile body.
 7. Theroofing tile system of claim 1, wherein the recess extends laterallyacross an entire width of the tile body.
 8. The roofing tile system ofclaim 1, wherein the recess defines an overlapping member that isconfigured to overlap at least a portion of an upper surface of an endof another tile disposed within the recess.
 9. The roofing tile systemof claim 1, wherein the substantially wedge shaped tile body comprisesat least one fastener hole extending from the top surface to the bottomsurface.
 10. The roofing tile system of claim 1, further comprising: another roofing tile, comprising: a substantially wedge shaped tile bodycomprising: a bottom surface configured to be disposed adjacent aroofing deck during use; a top surface angled relative to the bottomsurface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body comprises afirst height and a second end of the tile body comprises a second heightthat is greater than the first height; and a recess extending into thebottom surface at the second end, wherein the recess is shapedsubstantially complementary to the first end of the tile body, whereinthe first end of the roofing tile is configured to be disposed withinthe recess of the other roofing tile.
 11. The roofing tile system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a terminating roofing tile, comprising: asubstantially wedge shaped tile body comprising: a bottom surfaceconfigured to be disposed adjacent a roofing deck during use; a topsurface angled relative to the bottom surface, such that a first end ofthe wedge shaped body comprises a first height and a second end of thetile body comprises a second height that is greater than the firstheight; and a lip extending downward from the bottom surface at or nearthe second end of the wedge shaped body, wherein the first end of theterminating roofing tile is configured to be disposed within the recessof the roofing tile.
 12. A roofing system, comprising: a plurality ofroofing tiles, comprising: a substantially rigid wedge shaped tile bodycomposed of a material comprising concrete or cement, the bodycomprising: a bottom surface configured to be disposed adjacent aroofing deck during use; a top surface angled relative to the bottomsurface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body comprises afirst height and a second end of the tile body comprises a second heightthat is greater than the first height; and a recess extending into thebottom surface at the second end, wherein the recess is shapedsubstantially complementary to the first end of the tile body, whereinthe first end of the roofing tiles is configured to be disposed within arecess of another one of the plurality of roofing tiles.
 13. The roofingtile system of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of terminatingroofing tiles, comprising: a substantially wedge shaped tile bodycomprising: a bottom surface configured to be disposed adjacent aroofing deck during use; a top surface angled relative to the bottomsurface, such that a first end of the wedge shaped body comprises afirst height and a second end of the tile body comprises a second heightthat is greater than the first height; a lip extending downward from thebottom surface at or near the second end of the wedge shaped body,wherein the first end of the terminating roofing tiles is configured tobe disposed within the recess of the plurality of roofing tiles.
 14. Theroofing tile system of claim 12, wherein the top surfaces of theplurality of roofing tiles is substantially flat.
 15. The roofing tilesystem of claim 12, wherein the bottom surface of the plurality ofroofing tiles is substantially flat.
 16. The roofing tile system ofclaim 15, wherein the bottom surface is configured to be disposed on aroofing deck surface.
 17. The roofing tile system of claim 12, wherein afirst end of the recess comprises a height that is about the same as thefirst height, and wherein an upper surface of the recess issubstantially parallel to the top surface.
 18. The roofing tile systemof claim 12, wherein a length of the recess is less that about 25% of alength of the tile body.
 19. The roofing tile system of claim 12,wherein the recess extends laterally across an entire width of the tilebody.
 20. The roofing tile system of claim 12, wherein the recessdefines an overlapping member that is configured to overlap at least aportion of an upper surface of an end of another tile disposed withinthe recess.
 21. The roofing system of claim 12, wherein thesubstantially wedge shaped tile body comprises at least one fastenerhole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. 22.(canceled)